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Wadena, Wadena County, Minnesota

City in Wadena County, Minnesota · ZIP 56482

  • Wadena County
  • Census data · ACS 2019-2023
  • 8 public schools
Join WadenaAsk WadenaBusinessesPeople
  • 4,373 (2024 estimate)Population
  • 2,010Households
  • $45,850Median household income
  • $158,700Median home value
  • 8Public schools
  • 1ZIP codes

About Wadena

This page shows only what has been published about Wadena: Census facts with their sources first, then its businesses, jobs, events, people in public roles, housing and questions as they are added. Nothing here is written by the town government.

Town intelligenceOfficial sources, refreshed yearly

Population, 2000 to 2020+0.7%
4k4.1k4.2k4.3k4.4k2000: 4,29420002010: 4,08820102020: 4,32520204,2944,325
Population of Wadena at each census
CensusPopulation
20004,294
20104,088
20204,325

As counted at each census, within the boundaries the area had then; the current estimate is in the glance card.

Sources: Census 2000 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2010 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2020 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): total population, place level, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026.

Household income in Wadena
Under $50k53.3%
$50k to $100k31.3%
$100k to $150k10%
$150k to $200k4.1%
$200k and over1.2%

Median household income $45,850 · Share of households by income, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table S1901.

Source: American Community Survey 5-year subject table S1901 (household income) 2019–2023, place level, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026.

Housing tenure in Wadena
Owner occupied
1,057 units
Renter occupied
953 units
Vacancy rate
7.4%

Occupied housing units by tenure and the share of all units vacant, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table DP04.

Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026.

Wadena compared with its county and state
Wadena compared with its county and state, American Community Survey 2019-2023
MeasureWadenaWadena CountyMinnesota
Population4,36114,1355,713,716
Median household income$45,850$56,882$87,556
Median age36.540.138.6
Median home value$158,700$170,500$305,500
Bachelor’s degree or higher13.0%17.5%38.8%
Foreign-born residents3.8%1.8%8.6%
Owner-occupied homes52.6%72.5%72.4%
Mean commute to work15.2 minutes21.7 minutes23.1 minutes

Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026.

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Schools

Public schools in Wadena8
Public schools in Wadena, NCES directory 2023–2024
SchoolTypeGradesDistrict
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATIONSpecial educationPre-KFreshwater Education District
WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARYPublicPre-K–4WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
WADENA-DEER CREEK 5TH AND 6TH GRADEPublic5–6WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Freshwater Education District ALCAlternative6–12Freshwater Education District
WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGHPublic7–12WADENA-DEER CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
White Pine AcademySpecial education5–12Freshwater Education District
Elm Tree AcademySpecial education2–12Freshwater Education District
LEAF RIVER ACADEMYSpecial educationK–12Freshwater Education District

Open public schools in the NCES directory for 2023–2024, placed by their listed location; private schools are not in the source. Enrollment and ratings are not shown.

Sources: NCES Common Core of Data, public school directory 2023–2024, retrieved November 14, 2026; NCES EDGE public school geocodes 2024–2025, retrieved November 14, 2026.

Legislative districts

Legislative districts for Wadena5
Congressional and state legislative districts for Wadena
ChamberDistrictShare of Wadena
U.S. House of RepresentativesCongressional District 7 (MN-7)All
State legislature, lower chamberState House District 5B95%
State legislature, lower chamberState House District 9B5%
State legislature, upper chamberState Senate District 595%
State legislature, upper chamberState Senate District 95%

Boundaries from the Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line district files, matched to Wadena’s own boundary; a town split between districts lists each with the share of its land inside it. Who holds each seat appears on the People page once the official records are approved.

Sources: Census cartographic boundaries 2025: congressional districts, 119th Congress, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census cartographic boundaries 2025: state legislative districts, upper chamber, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census cartographic boundaries 2025: state legislative districts, lower chamber, state 27, retrieved November 14, 2026.

Frequently asked about WadenaPromoted from questions people asked

No question about Wadena has been asked often enough to publish an answer yet. Ask Wadena and the answer, once a person checks it, appears here.

Nearby towns

Other towns in Wadena County

All towns in Wadena County

Other places named Wadena in Minnesota